Actor Natalia Dontcheva’s family have paid heartbreaking tribute to her after her death.
The Bulgarian star, who was best known for starring in the French remake of the medical dramedy Doc Martin, died aged 56.
She also appeared in films like Premonition, Lady J (Mademoiselle de Joncquieres) and Sashinka.
Her stepson, film producer, Hugo Selignac, said she was “finally going to rest”after a 10-year “battle”.
“My dear Natalia, I didn't like the title of ‘stepmother,’ because when we met, I was no longer a child, and I'd already had a stepmother,” he penned in a lengthy post on Instagram.
“But you can't imagine how wonderful I thought you were and how deeply I loved who you were. Thank you for the bond you fought so hard to maintain in our family.”
He went on to praise her relationship with his father, director Arnaud Selignac.
“Thank you for the trust you placed in me, always looking at me with pride since my teenage years. Thank you for taking care of Georgia, thank you for welcoming my children as your own, thank you for helping our father become a better man, but above all, thank you for caring for him for 25 years,” he wrote.
“Thank you for admiring him, supporting him, holding him, forgiving him, and above all, loving him passionately. She was who she was, but we were a family, and on the Selignac side, you were our foundation.
“The only promise I can make you today is that I will do everything to keep alive what you fought so hard to create. After a ten-year battle, you're finally going to rest.
“Enjoy it to the fullest; it's been so long since you've had this opportunity. I'm going to miss you, my ‘Beautiful’ Natalia.”
Dontcheva moved to France to study acting and was cast as Julie Derville in the TF1 adaptation of Doc Martin, appearing in 26 episodes from 2011 to 2015.
Tatiana Gousseff, who appeared alongside Dontcheva in the medical drama, also posted a tribute to her.
She shared a photo taken with the actor while they were filming in Brittany.
She wrote: “I always kept my film Nikon close at hand; over four seasons, I snapped away endlessly. How we laughed!
“What wonderful memories! And how I loved seeing you on stage later in the magnificent role of Dorothy Parker. I hear you’re gone. I am speechless.”
